The Stickman to the left in the photo is actually me.... It was taken in either 1962 or 1963 as Sammy Laycock and I were almost permanent stickmen through several Passing Out Parades. We were not bandsmen and had our own sticks that my grandparents had made up for us. Each cane was topped with an RAOC collar badge. We also wore white cotton gloves as the issue white woollen ones were not that good for handling a cane. We practiced in private with each other or under the personal instruction of the RSM at first then later with either our CSM or one of the Sergeants.

The routine was to await the arrival of the Inspecting General at BHQ then march ahead of him to the saluting base where we took up position (never standing at ease) until the start of the inspection where we led in slow time along each of the two ranks, marching back to the saluting base in Quick time and then taking a final salute at the base on the departure of the inspecting officer. We then "fell out" at the saluting base after the parade and marched off.

We always felt very honoured to do this duty despite its high profile and very visible forum for making errors that everyone could see.

On the downside, the "skills" I acquired doing this followed me around the Corps wherever I went and where some hawk eyed NCO / or WO would remember I had done it!!

I left the canes at Blackdown but still have the gloves!!!!!